Chris Hales Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Hi, I’ve been playing bass for over 40 years - started out in a re-bodied Futurama, moved on to an Antonia fretless Precision copy (Percy Jones was a huge early influence) My musical interests have moved through pop, rock, folk rock, fusion, jazz and pretty much all the way back again! These days I’m playing my 1980s Westone neck now hosted by a Boogie Precision body (weighs a ton) with an extra Bartolini at the (Schiller) bridge. Recently got a Cort Rithimic (did I mention how much I love Jeff Berlin’s playing?) both played through a Markbass something or other. I never lost the passion for playing bass but loving it being my main instrument again! Hello to everyone - I’m sure there is some great advice here I can benefit from! Cheers! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Welcome Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hales Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share Posted August 23, 2022 Thank you! One thing I meant to say is that I’ve never owned a Fender bass. Played a few but never been “wowed”. Am I missing out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Welcome Chris 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 2 hours ago, Chris Hales said: Thank you! One thing I meant to say is that I’ve never owned a Fender bass. Played a few but never been “wowed”. Am I missing out? That way lies a can of worms. Personally (having owned a couple) I'd say no, but you will find several fanatics on here who will tell you that all anybody needs is a Precision with flatwounds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franticsmurf Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 Hi Chris, welcome aboard. I've never owned a Fender bass either. More a financial thing than sonic but I don't feel I'm missing out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 The nearest thing I had to a Fender was a fretless Squier Jazz from new. It had a dead spot on the finger board. After about three weeks, I traded it in against a Vantage fretless with P and J style pups. That was in the eighties. I still have the Vantage. I have no particular hankering for a genuine Fender. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msb Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 I suppose any solid body with a bolt on neck is inspired by Fender. There’s no need to buy the Fender decal , but they do retain most of their value. Some have actually appreciated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hales Posted August 24, 2022 Author Share Posted August 24, 2022 The Cort Rithimic (awful name) is definitely Fender inspired but is much more engaging than any Fender I’ve played. Once I start playing I really don’t want to stop! It’s just great fun! On the other hand, the Fender designs are, rightfully, classics. And maybe something magical I’ve missed if you find the right one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hales Posted August 24, 2022 Author Share Posted August 24, 2022 22 hours ago, tauzero said: That way lies a can of worms. Personally (having owned a couple) I'd say no, but you will find several fanatics on here who will tell you that all anybody needs is a Precision with flatwounds. Back in the 70’s and my Antoria fretless I tried flatwounds, half-rounds… dull as anything! Quickly swapped to roundwounds and to hell with whatever damage they did to the fingerboard! I’m still a very inexperienced player, but I can’t understand why anyone would want to play flatwounds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Welcome aboard! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msb Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 It depends on the tone you want to hear . I’m an old school flatwound guy , most of my basses carry them , a few have extremely old rounds that are just as thumpy as well worn flats , and I do keep fresh rounds on some others. I usually gig with a Dano Longhorn that was made in 98 and still has the factory strings on it , I have a set of LaBella flats ready if I lose a string. The Dano has a great deep woody thump with the ancient strings and sits beautifully in a stage mix. However I usually practice with a bass that has fresh rounds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hales Posted September 3, 2022 Author Share Posted September 3, 2022 That's really interesting and just goes to show how out of touch I am! Admittedly, I am striving for a sound with clarity and definition but, as a bedroom bassist, I'm oblivious to the practical concerns of how my playing sounds in a band context! (Actually, I know exactly how my playing sounds, but that has nothing to do with my choice of strings.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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